Yes, I shouldn't have started rereading Tokyo ghoul but what can you do when the deed is done.
Ok, I have a confession. Sometimes I hate Ishida. I remember reading the last chapter of TG in 2014 and being completely destroyed. I raved to my bff for days that Kaneki Ken did NOT deserve this. And then we got the sequel and everything became worse.
I was also disgusted by some characters. For example, Uta being a Clown. Or Jason. You know, the baddies who hurt good people.
But now, almost 8 years later I have a different perspective. Now I see all of characters just as abandoned children, trying to find their way in the darkest night. Unfortunately, life is not just white and black. Of course, hurting others is bad, but why do people hurt each other? What their pain is? Where are they going? Now I see all stories not as a tale of one "good" person, but as a swirling pool of fates of many people. Those life threads tangle and flow and you have weave them into your on perception. Maybe it's because I've learnt a lot about storytelling during these years. Or maybe I'm just getting older.
And you know the second reason why I hate Ishida? That lil' bitch is so fucking talented and smart it makes me want to bite my elbows. I am a petty person and when I see something who does something better than I do I want to punch them in their face and suck all their skills and talent like a Count Fuckyoula. All those little details and allusions, complex plot and his ability to play it like a musical instrument. The intense fighting scenes and fascinating angles. The neat and fine study of characters' psyches. I have to admit I'm very bad with detailing cause my mind works in broad strokes. And when I see such a fine job it makes me VERY jealous. Same thing happened with Bo Burnham
And speaking of changed perspectives and jealousy let's talk about Takizawa Seidou. Because this post actually is about me and him.
When I read TG I didn't like him even a little. He was annoying and whiny, useless and weak. And in TG:re he even became a "baddie". Not in my shonen manga, nah-a!
But now I consider him the most human character in TG. He is human in his weakness. Like all people. We are the heroes of our stories, but who said the hero must be perfect.
I think I didn't like him cause I saw things I didn't like in myself, things I wanted to eliminate. But I don't have to do it. All of those imperfections, small and big, make me who I am. They are not faults or sin, they are wrinkles, cuts and freckles of my soul. And if I have a heart for a fictional boy who was turn into a monster why can't have sympathy for myself?
So yeah, to summarize, Seidou is my little cupcake. Everybody in TG are my little cupcakes (except for Washuus, fuck you, you impudent capitalists) but Takizawa is special, with a cherry on top.
And besides how can you hate someone whose last thought before death is of their loved ones. Brings a lot of new meaning to "jealousy", doesn't it?
Liking both really popular ships and rarepairs is really funny because I’ll see a piece of fanart or fanfiction or whatever for a ship I like and either go “awe, that’s cute!” or go batshit insane and it all depends on how popular the ship is.
17, 20, 42 & 49 from the ship ask with Seidou x Akira??🙂
Ooh haven't seen seiaki around for a little. Presuming this is all post-ghoulification?
the ask game
17. How well do they communicate? Are they open with their feelings/thoughts or more reserved? Why?
More reserved, by nature and by extensive trauma respectively. Also if Seidou stayed quiet about his feelings for god knows how long so it's not like this is entirely new. But if anyone can pry this guy open like a clam, (lovingly) it's Akira, and she'll open up pretty quickly verbally about anything she doesn't like, and more positive stuff Seidou's actually alright at sniffing out, and that assurance that if he does something "wrong" he'll be told gently actually brings him a lot of reassurance. He's already aware of the consequences so even if he worries about messing up, he's not worried that she'll be angry at him.
20. How do they comfort each other when one of them is upset? Is this method of comfort effective?
Akira's rather blunt about it, but not in a rude way. "No I don't hate you, your brain is being stupid. Hug me if you want or keep your personal space but I'm here for you." And it's a pretty good matchup for Seidou's feral cat of a mind. Sometimes it freaks him out but for the most part that lack of vagueness and straight "yes I do care about you, stop that" doesn't leave his mind much space to fill in the gaps with fears. For Seidou, he's more wordless about it, just sort of hugging her in a little "I hope you feel better soon and I'm sorry." This is a huge testament to his trust and Akira is conscious of that, so often the significance alone is enough to be effective. But just like how occasionally her bluntness frightens Seidou, his touch and lack thereof sometimes makes it worse but she does her best to be understanding.
42. What’s their relationship like with each other’s friends/families?
Surprisingly pretty good when it comes to their closer friends. Seina teased Seidou a lot the first time she met Akira, but is genuinely super supportive of this. She's so happy to see that her brother is alive, happy, and finally absolving that rivalry that consumed him for years. As for Akira well- Rest in Peace Kureo. Obviously a lot of the CCG is still a little apprehensive about ghouls, especially one who's brutally slaughtered so many of their ranks and realistically could do the same but as much as their fear the Owl they tend to fear Akira a little more for long enough to warm up to him. He's kind of skittish and keeps to himself anyways, kind of funny for someone who's probably killed a friend of yours. Amon is a little confused but supportive.
49. Do they keep secrets from each other?
Absolutely. They do their best to create environments where they both feel comfortable sharing, but they still both have an inclination to keep it quiet until they remind each other that it's alright. There are some things they'll never revisit, not because they don't trust each other but because those events are just too traumatic and recent. And that's alright for now, one day maybe, but currently they're both still within a couple years of some wild nonsense and those boundaries are mutually respected.